Hoppers of North Carolina

Hoppers of North Carolina:
Spittlebugs, Leafhoppers, Treehoppers, and Planthoppers

Family (Alpha):

CICADELLIDAE Members:	NC Records
Eupteryx decemnotata - Ligurian Leafhopper

Taxonomy

Family: CICADELLIDAE

Subfamily: Typhlocybinae

Tribe: Typhlocybini

Subgenus: Eupteryx

Taxonomic Author: (Rey, 1891)

Identification

Online Photographs: BugGuide, GBIF iNaturalist Google
Description: A fairly distinctively marked species. Wings are yellowish green with characteristic darker polygon-shaped marks scaattered; the apical wing veins are yellow, bordered with dark brown. The scutellum is yellowish, sometimes with two black spots in the middle. The head has a characteristic even number of bold black spots. Usually there are 5 pairs of dots, with four dots along the midline of the vertex, two black marks along the margin of the vertex, and 4 dots in a row across the face; however, spots are sometimes fused together. Adults are between 2 and 3 mm long. (Rung, 2009) For more images of this species, see: 1, 2, 3. Nymphs are yellowish overall, with a mottled brownish dorsal surface. There are prominent rows of long spines curving backwards on the dorsal surface as well, giving the nymphs a distinctive appearance.

Distribution in North Carolina

County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Distribution: Found throughout Europe; introduced in North America where it is slowly expanding. Most records are from California where it was first detected in 2008; has also been found in New Mexico. This species is relatively scarce in the eastern United States without any clearly established populations; was intercepted in Florida in 2009 and Pennsylvania in 2015; first detected in North Carolina in 2013.

Abundance: Scattered records across the state; unclear what the status of this species is in the state and whether there are any well established populations.

Seasonal Occurrence

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Habitats and Life History

Habitats: Has been found in mixed hardwood forest, but likely found anywhere herbs and ornamentals occur in high number.

Plant Associates: A variety of herbs and ornamentals in the Lamiaceae family: rosemary, sage, majoram, catnip, oregano, lemon balm, peppermint, basil, thyme, etc. (Rung, 2009)

Behavior: Can be attracted at night with a light.

Comment: NOTE: This species is similar to E. melissae, the Sage Leafhopper, another introduced Eupteryx that has been recorded from both sides of the continent. The two can best be distinguished by the markings on the head. In decemnotata, there is an even number of spots, usually 5 pairs but sometimes spots are fused together. In melissae, there is an odd number of spots, usually 5 or 7 spots total with three prominent ones on top of the head. See here for more information and images on how to distinguish the two species: Rung, 2009.

In terms of damage, this species is a mesophyll feeder, puncturing plant cells and causing stippling to leaves. If the density of E. decemnotata becomes too high, significant damage to plants can occur. E. decemnotata can therefore be a major pest species. (Rung, 2009)

Status: Introduced

Global and State Rank:

Eupteryx decemnotata - Ligurian Leafhopper

Species Photo Gallery for Eupteryx decemnotata Ligurian Leafhopper

Species Photo Gallery for Eupteryx decemnotata Ligurian Leafhopper
	Photo by: Erin Price-Erwin Guilford Co. Comment:	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172255188
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115959866	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91065316
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/84251088	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82748552
	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Photo by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80547514	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night	Photo by: Ken Kneidel Mecklenburg Co. Comment: 2.7 mm male came to UV light at night
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/80308378	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77630898
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/77533858	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719150	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719156
	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151	Photo by: Margarita Lankford Orange Co. Comment: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/75719151
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.
	Photo by: Rob Van Epps Mecklenburg Co. Comment: Attracted to UV light. Yard near woods.	Photo by: David Enrique Wake Co. Comment:
	Photo by: David Enrique Wake Co. Comment:	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat
	Photo by: Kyle Kittelberger Wake Co. Comment: mixed hardwood forest habitat